DJ guilty of rapes

A DJ faces life in jail after being found guilty of multiple rapes.

Police believe that Richard Baker, 34 and from Bodmin in Cornwall, could be "one of the most prolific sex offenders this century".

They believe he could be responsible for a string of other attacks in Britain, Ireland and Spain, and have urged other victims to come forward.

Baker was found guilty of three rapes and an attempted rape at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

He was also convicted of two indecent assaults, an attempted indecent assault and affray.

The attacks took place in Sussex, Essex and north London between May and December last year, after the DJ returned from Spain where he worked most summers.

After the verdict it was revealed that the 34-year-old had been jailed twice before - for raping one woman and forcing the victim of another suspected attack not to give evidence.

Baker was remanded until 18 June for psychiatric reports after the judge, Recorder David Stokes, QC, told him he faced life in jail.

Caught by Crimewatch

The serial rapist was "shopped" to police by his brother Kevin, 36, who saw trailers for the BBC Crimewatch programme and recognised an E-fit picture.

It was one of the most successful Crimewatch operations and won praise for murdered presenter Jill Dando.

During seven months last year Baker stalked London and south-east coastal resorts looking for victims.

Some women were attacked just hours after he jetted in from Spain, and three were molested in only seven hours.

Although quantities of the so-called "date-rape drug" Rohypnol were found in Baker's flat in Spain, evidence could not be produced at his Old Bailey trial because he did not use Rohypnol on any of the girls he attacked in the UK.

After the trial, police described Baker as "a wicked, evil and very devious man, with a very high sex drive, who attacked lonely vulnerable women".

Baker had told the court he "needed help" and admitted using threats to terrorise and control his victims.

He said: "I just wanted to be in total control. I terrorised these poor girls. I treated these woman absolutely contemptuously."

He told the court he looked for slim brunettes aged about 20 who were on their own.

He said he grabbed them around the throat from behind and put them in a state of terror by threatening to rape or kill them.

The judge praised the dignity and courage of the seven women witnesses, including two schoolgirls, who had given evidence in court.

Several of the victims said the attacks had "totally destroyed" their lives.

After the case, Baker's parents said their son should have received help after his first rape conviction.

Baker's farmer father John said: "I feel very, very sorry for the victims, but I cannot help but think that this perhaps could have been avoided."

However, Baker's brother Kevin, speaking from the Costa del Sol, said the DJ failed to take help when he was offered it.

"He now understands that he has something wrong, but he knew that 10 years ago. Unfortunately for him he did not take the help that was needed," he said.

"He always wanted to be famous. He has certainly got that now," said Mr Baker.